Tag: veggie patch

What a glorious weekend! Proper spring weather with plenty of sunshine and the garden is really starting to burst into life.

I was a little worried that my beans weren’t going to come up. However some warm days and they are starting to raise their heads above the ground. Seven in total at the moment.

The rising of the Purple King

I have planted Purple King beans. When they grow they are purple but when you cook them they turn green. I often tell children they are magic beans. Nothing like capturing the imaginations of children especially with nature.

Many other things were accomplished over the weekend and the veggie patch is certainly starting to take shape. My zucchini, eggplant and tomato seedlings were planted. Planted some Giant Russian sunflowers. I just love their bright sunny disposition and this variety are huge.

Things are slowly starting to take shape now

My lettuce is well and truly up and going. Secondary leaves are now growing. I have found over the years I have had a lot of success growing lettuce in broccoli (foam) boxes. Easy to manoeuvre around if too hot or cold, windy or the snails are on the march. The germination rate is close on 100%. This variety is a heirloom given to me by the Diggers Club for becoming a member.

Australian Yellow Leaf Lettuce

So apart from the garden my partner interrupted his development of the “man cave” to paint my planter box that I bought from an auction at the Cadell Club a couple of years back. We have given it a new lease of life. My Dad gave me some birthday money back in August so I bought the hanging pot/planter for it. I have sowed some Italian parsley in it. I have all these old seed packets so I’m just trying to use them up before I purchase any others. Just have to line the bottom part of it with some thick plastic and I’ll plant that with a variety of herbs. The idea is to have it reasonably close to the pizza oven so fresh herbs can be used on yummy homemade pizzas.

Loved once again

So there you have a bit of a sneak peak of what I got up to over the weekend. So much more to do but I’m so glad I am once again enjoying being out in the garden and the Zen that comes with it. I hope you all had the chance to do something for yourself over the weekend and enjoy some Zen time.

As promised here is a post about my garden. It is slowly coming back to life but there is still a lot to do.

First I’ll give you a run down of what I have growing in the garden (edible). My aim is to supply the household with enough edible food so I do not need to rely on shops. A big advantage given my town is what most would say is remote (I personally don’t think the town is too remote and there will be more to come about my town).

Now being a realist (well sometimes) there will be at times when I will need to supplement. This may be due to needing some tropical fruit eg. bananas. If I am not growing it I will endeavour to purchase keeping in mind food miles and my ecological footprint.

So at the moment this is what edible plants I have growing in my garden (or about to be planted:

Orange tree

Apricot tree

Peach tree

Chilli (carried over from last season)

Capsicum (carried over from last season)

Zucchini (seedlings to be planted this weekend)

Eggplant (seedlings to be planted this weekend)

Beans (planted seed two weeks ago and still no sign)

Lettuce

Silverbeet

Lavender (several varieties)

Rosemary (pink and blue flowering types)

Chives

Rhubarb (waiting and hoping it shall come back from its dormancy)

Yummy chives

Like I have previously said I still have so much to do. The biggest issue I have at the moment is the garden was left for so long before I moved in and thrown in our long extremely hot summers the soil in many areas has become water resistant (hydrophobic). Essentially this means not only has there been a lack of water in the garden but there has been no organic matter added into the soil. Believe it or not it is very important to feed your soil. If there are any readers that have had similar issues I would love to hear from you and hear what tips you have to beat this problem. I’m hoping with the set up of my compost bin and soon to be set up worm farm I will have a continuous supply of soil food.

My other big threat to the overall maintenance of the garden is this little chap.

Artoo

His name is Artoo as in R2-D2. He was born on Star Wars Day and it just seemed to be such an appropriate name. I must admit he is quite a good puppy and when he does find something of interest he takes back to his bed (I believe he could be part bower bird). He hasn’t dug too many holes and even the ones he has they have been out the way. My partner and I will be putting a fence around the veggie patch to prevent any heartache. I’ve been utilising the front garden as well as he doesn’t spend a lot of time out there. I may as well use the space.

Well that’s my serve today. Now the weather is warming up I have plenty of projects to get underway and I’m sure I will share them with you.